a circumstance that makes progress or success difficult

not being able to drive was something of a handicap

a condition that markedly restricts a person's ability to function physically, mentally, or socially

he was born with a significant visual handicap

a disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor in sports such as golf, horse racing, and competitive sailing in order to make the chances more equal

act as an impediment to

lack of funding has handicapped the development of research